The 37-year-old, who signed a one-year, $1.25 million contract with the Blues in the off-season, has more than 1,100 NHL games under his belt. He's in the twilight of his career -- the contract could be his last -- and now has a better understanding of what life will be like when the cheering ends.

"I think this time also prepares you for it," Langenbrunner told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "I've gotten involved in coaching the kids' teams and, quite frankly, I've gotten to enjoy that aspect of it.

"You realize there is going to be an end to this (lockout) at some point. But it makes me feel when the end (of his career) does come, I'll be prepared for that."

This isn't the first lockout Langenbrunner has gone through but it most certainly will be his last.

"Speaking for myself, it could be the last year and it's not a lot of fun sitting out like this," he said. "On the other hand, I don't think there's any wavering in the way I feel about it. It wasn't our choice to be locked out."

BRIEFLY

Long-time Los Angeles Kings PA announcer David Courtney died Thursday at age 56. He held the job with the Kings since 1989 and also served as the voice of the Anaheim Angels and Los Angeles Clippers ... Minnesota Wild defenceman Clayton Stoner has signed with Slovakian team HC Banska Bystrica, according to the club's website. Stoner joins San Jose forward Michal Handzus with Bystrica.